Promote oral

health to eldery
patients
Introduction:

Maintaining good oral health is crucial for overall well-being, especially in

the elderly population. As we delve into this comprehensive guide, we will
explore various effects of oral health, encompassing oral cavity function,
oral health education, dental plaque, carious lesions, dental caries risk
assessment, periodontal disease, oral cancers, host defense mechanisms, and
the role of nutrition and diet.
What is oral health?

"Oral health is a key indicator of overall health, well-being andquality of

life. It encompasses a range of diseases and conditions thatinclude dental
caries, periodontal (gum) disease, tooth loss, oralcancer, oro-dental trauma,
noma and birth defects such as cleft lipand palate."
World Health Organization"Oral health refers to the health of the teeth,
gums, and theentire oral-facial system that allows us to smile, speak,
andchew." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Understanding Oral Cavity
Function:
The oral cavity serves essential functions such as
mastication, speech, and swallowing. As
individuals age, changes in saliva composition and
reduced salivary flow can contribute to oral health
challenges. Encouraging regular hydration and
addressing dry mouth concerns can alleviate
discomfort.
Elderly Patient…

1. Typically there are 2 types of elderly patient:

2. Healthy - these patients should be treated like young adults with chronic
diseases.
3. Rail - these patients may tend to rely on others like yourselves to carry out
basic daily activities including oral care.
4. Patients can have either one or a mix of two of the following:
• No teeth.
• Natural teeth.
• A partial or complete denture.
 Most common diseasses:

Periodontal Disease Dental Cavities

Oral Cancer:
(Gum Disease) (Tooth Decay):
 Most common diseasses:

Osteoporosis- Dry Mouth

Loss of Teeth:
related Jaw Issues (Xerostomia):
 What to expect from elderly residents
and tips and tricks on how to help.
• Impaired cognitive abilities:

 Stroke
 Alzheimer’s
 Dementia ● CONSENT:
 Challenging behavior
 Addiction You must get consent before performing
 Learning disabilities any oral hygiene.
If they refuse:
o Give short instructions e.g. 1. Encourage them to brush.
o "lets get your toothbrush", 2. Come back to them later.
o "lets put toothpaste on it“
o Demonstrate and ask them to repeat
o Guide if need be.
o Encourage
o Explain what you're doing and why
o Be patient
● Receding gumsdecay on root of Dry mouth
teethsensitivity
● Stained teeth -tea/ coffee/ smoking 1. Medication side effects
stains 2. Medical conditions - Sjogren's
● Missing teeth Syndrome
3. Chemotherapy/radiotherapy
 Use sensitivity toothpaste 4. Nerve damage
 Patient may be prescribed high
Fluoride toothpaste to prevent root ● Sip water throughout the day
decay ● Small spray bottle - water only
 Advise drinking tea/coffee through ● Sugar free chewing gum - stimulate
straw saliva
 Encourage to quit smoking ● Artificial saliva
● Moisturising mouthwash or gel
● Use if prescribed high Fluoride
toothpaste
 WHY IS DENTAL CARE
IMPORTANT?
Nurition and Diet….

Nutrition:
1. Calcium and Vitamin D:
Calcium is vital for maintaining strong
eeth and bones. Adequate vitamin D is
necessary for the absorption of calcium.
Dairy products, leafy green vegetables,
ortified cereals, and fatty fish are good
ources of calcium and vitamin D.
4. Protein:
Necessary for tissue repair and
overall health. It plays a role in
maintaining the integrity of oral
tissues, including the gums.
Good sources of protein include
lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs,
dairy products, beans, and nuts.
2. Vitamin C:
Vitamin C is essential for collagen
formation, which is important for the
health of gums and other oral tissues.
Citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers,
and broccoli are rich in vitamin C.
Including these foods in the diet can
support gum health and reduce the risk
of periodontal disease.
5. Phosphorus 6. Avoiding Sugary and
: Acidic Foods:
Important for the formation and
maintenance of healthy teeth and
bones. Foods rich in phosphorus
include dairy products, meat, poultry,
fish, and nuts.
3. Hydration:
Maintaining proper hydration i
crucial for saliva production. Saliv
helps neutralize acids in the mouth an
protects against tooth decay. Elderl
individuals may be at a higher risk o
dehydration due to factors such a
medication side effects or reduce
thirst sensation.
Limiting the intake of
sugary and acidic foods is
crucial for preventing tooth
decay. These types of foods
can contribute to the
erosion of tooth enamel.
A PICTURE
IS WORTH A
THOUSAND
S WORDS
Oral Hygene…
 Brushing:
 No teeth - small toothbrush with soft bristles.

 Natural teeth - small toothbrush with medium bristles.

 Dentures - denture toothbrush or large toothbrush with firm bristles.

 Lone standing teeth - single tufted toothbrush.

 Super brush (3 headed) - can be used for those with limited co-operation or
struggle with their dexterity as it cleans all surfaces at once.

 Suction toothbrush - those at risk of inhaling/dry mouth or swallowing problems

Which tooth paste?

 Toothpaste containing 1450 ppm Fluoride (you can find this at the back of any
toothpaste tube/box).

 SLS (foam) free for those with difficulty eating/swallowing, cognitive issues or
dry mouth.

 Sensitivty toothpaste for those suffering from sensitivity symptoms.

Denture care…
Untreated oral disease can lead to…

 Pain that makes it difficult to process, sleep, eat.

 Poor eating habits and nutrition.

 Reduced self-confidence because of decayed or missing teeth.

 Infections that must be controlled with antibiotics.

 Complications of chronic diseases like diabetes.

Study case:
 Dental card of the patient…
 Name: Mrs.Margaret Hamilton
 Age: 75 ● Treatment plan:
 Gender: Female
 Complaints: Mouth pain, tooth loss, 1. General Health Examination:
difficulty in eating. 2. Dental Examination and Hygiene
● Medical History: Care:
• Controlled hypertension with 3. Cavity Treatment and Tooth
medications. Restoration:
• Type 2 diabetes, controlled with diet 4. Inflammation and Pain
and insulin. Management:
• Recent tooth loss. 5. Follow-up Regimen:
• Poor oral hygene. 6. Collaboration with the Medical
● Oral Examination: Team:
• Cavities detected in several teeth.
According to this case :
• Possible inflammation of the mouth and
Selff efficensy HBM : Dental self-efficacy was found to be
temporomandibular joints (TMJ) due to
a determinant in oral healthand oral hygiene among
tension or nighttime grinding.
diabetes patients and for general oral health in
• Plaque and tartar accumulation on
elderly patients
remaining teeth.
“YOU CAN NOT BE HEALTHY WITHOUT ORAL HEALTH”
– SURGEON GENERAL’S REPORT ON ORAL HEALTH
 NEXT APPOINTMENTS
02/07 S M T W T F S
REMINDER!!
1 2 3
MEETING WITH THE
DOCTOR FOR CHECK-UP OF 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
TEETH

25/09
REMINDER!
11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24
!
Going to the doctor!!! 25 26 27 28 29 30
Regular dental visits are important:

1. Help with ill fitting dentures.

2. Diagnosing facial pain.

3. Treating dental pain.

4. Spotting possible mouth cancer early and arranging treatment.

 Conclusions

1. Aging healthily is an important objective for all individuals. Oral

health and function play a significant role in healthy aging. Health
policies can reduce global inequalities in oral health and make oral
healthcare more accessible, affordable, and available for the elderly.
Oral health and function are crucial for healthy aging. Policymakers,
national dental associations, academics, and all healthcare professionals
should understand their role in improving the oral health of older adults.